He Who Gets Slapped - Leonid Andreyev (books under 200 pages .TXT) 📗

in order to feel firm. He Bezano? Zinida Bezano and others; there were many, there will be many more. My red lion, with whom I am desperately in love, is still more terrible than Bezano. But it is all nonsense; old habits, which we are sorry to let go, like old servants who steal things. Leave Consuelo alone. She has her own way. He Automobiles and diamonds? Zinida When did you see a beauty clad in simple cotton? If this one does not buy her, another will. They buy off everything that is beautiful. Yes, I know. For the first ten years she will be a sad beauty, who will attract the eyes of the poor man on the sidewalk: afterward she will begin to paint a little around her eyes and smile, and then will take⁠— He Her chauffeur or butler as a lover? You’re not guessing badly, Zinida! Zinida Am I not right? I don’t want to intrude on your confidence, but today I am sorry for you, He. What can you do against Fate? Don’t be offended, my friend, by the words of a woman. I like you; you are not beautiful, nor young, nor rich, and your place is⁠— He On the sidewalk, from which one looks at the beauties. Laughs. And if I don’t want to? Zinida What does it matter, your “want” or “don’t want”? I am sorry for you, my poor friend, but if you are a strong man, and I think you are, then there is only one way for you. To forget. He You think that that’s being strong? And you are saying this, you, Queen Zinida, who want to awaken the feeling of love, even in the heart of a lion? For one second of an illusory possession, you are ready to pay with your life, and still you advise me to forget! Give me your strong hand, my beautiful lady; see how much strength there is in this pressure, and don’t pity me. Enter Briquet and Mancini. The latter it reserved, and self-consciously imposing. He has a new suit, but the same cane, and the same noiseless smile of a satyr. Zinida Whispering. Will you stay? He Yes. I shan’t go away. Mancini How are you, my dear? But you are dazzling, my dear! I swear you are marvellous! Your lion would be an ass, if he did not kiss your hand, as I do.⁠ ⁠… Kisses her hand. Zinida May I congratulate you, Count? Mancini Yes, merci. To He. How are you, my dear? He Good evening, Count! Briquet Zinida, the Count wants to pay immediately for the breach of contract with Consuelo⁠ ⁠… the Countess’s contract. Don’t you remember, Mother, how much it is? Zinida I’ll look it up, Papa. Mancini Yes, please. Consuelo will not return here any more. We leave tomorrow. Zinida and Briquet search among the papers. He takes Mancini roughly by the elbow, and draws him aside. He In a low voice. How are your girls, Mancini? Mancini What girls? What is this, stupidity or blackmail? Look out, sir, be careful, the policeman is not far. He You are much too severe, Mancini. I assumed, that since we are tête-á-tête.⁠ ⁠… Mancini But tell me, what kind of tête-á-tête is possible, between a clown and me? Laughs. You are stupid, He. You should say what you want, and not ask questions! Briquet Three thousand francs, Count. Mancini Is that all? For Consuelo? All right. I’ll tell the Baron. Zinida You took⁠— Briquet Don’t, Mother, don’t. Zinida Count, you drew in advance, I have it written down, eighty francs and twenty centimes. Will you pay this money, too? Mancini Certainly, certainly. You will get three thousand and one hundred. Laughing. Twenty centimes! I never thought I could be so accurate. Seriously. Yes, my friends. My daughter Consuelo⁠—the Countess⁠—and the Baron, expressed their desire to bid farewell to the whole cast. He The Baron, too? Mancini Yes, Auguste, too. They want to do it during the intermission. Therefore, I ask you to gather here⁠ ⁠… the more decent ones⁠ ⁠… but please don’t make it too crowded! He, will you, sir, be kind enough to run into the buffet and tell them to bring right away a basket of champagne, bottles and glasses⁠—you understand? He Yes, Count. Mancini Wait a minute, what’s the hurry⁠—what is this, a new costume? You are all burning like the devils in hell! He You do me too much honour, Count, I am not a devil. I am merely a poor sinner who the devils are frying a little. He goes out, bowing like a clown. Mancini A gifted chap, but too cunning. Briquet It’s the Tango colour, in honour of your daughter, Count. He needs it for a new stunt, which he doesn’t want to tell in advance. Don’t you want to sit down, Count? Mancini Auguste is waiting for me, but⁠ ⁠… it’s all right. Takes a seat. Nevertheless I am sorry to leave you, my friend. High society, certainly, prerogatives of the title, castles of exalted noblemen, but where could I find such freedom, and⁠ ⁠… such simplicity.⁠ ⁠… And besides, these announcements, these burning posters, which take your breath in the morning, they had something which summoned, which encouraged.⁠ ⁠… There, my friends, I shall become old. Briquet But pleasures of a higher kind, Count. Why are you silent, Zinida? Zinida I’m listening. Mancini By the way, my dear, how do you like my suit? You have wonderful taste. Spreads out his lace tie and lace cuffs. Zinida I like it. You look like a nobleman of the courts of long ago. Mancini Yes? But don’t you think it is too conspicuous? Who wears lace and satin now? This dirty democracy will soon make us dress ourselves in sack cloth. With a sigh. Auguste told me that this jabot was out of place. Zinida The Baron is too severe. Mancini Yes, but it seems to me he is right. I am a little infected with your fancy. He returns. Two waiters follow him, carrying a basket of champagne and glasses. They prepare everything on the